But I have a mortgage on some other lands of mine which vexes me, because, though I can find the interest--which is exorbitant--each year, I cannot in this country lay my hands upon the principal.

Discharge that debt for me and, God reward thee, take the house and land.' He named a sum of money.

I could not believe my ears, it was so little as compared with what I judged to be the value of the property.

It was well within the sum at my disposal.

I wished to write a cheque out there and then; but he forbade me, saying: 'Allah knows I might mislay the paper or destroy it in a moment of forgetfulness.